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Terrell Blake-Lopez, a 26-year-old San Diego resident, fell out after the boat hit a wake about one mile south of Jack Smith Park.

Search efforts are continuing for a man who fell out of a boat in the Colorado River on Saturday.

Terrell Blake-Lopez, a 26-year-old San Diego resident, fell out after the boat hit a wake about one mile south of Jack Smith Park, deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said.

“The boat bounced three times and he wasn’t holding on. We never saw him again,” said Laura Moore, who was on the boat with nine others when the accident happened.

Moore’s daughter, Destiny Clark, is Blake-Lopez’s girlfriend.

Family and Friends Believe Missing Man is Alive

A local man is missing following a boating accident that swept him overboard. His family and friends believe Terrell Blake-Lopez survived the incident.

(Published Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011)

"He's still out there. I believe he's still out there and he's coming home," said Clark, who lives with Blake-Lopez in Chula Vista.

Blake-Lopez was not wearing a personal flotation device and did not resurface after falling in. Moore’s husband, Rodger, jumped in immediately after Blake-Lopez, but could not find him. A family member then called 911.

The department’s Marine Enforcement Unit was on scene within six minutes of the accident. A dive team conducted an underwater search while other deputies searched for Blake-Lopez from the air and other boats.

Deputies continued searching for Blake-Lopez through Sunday, but believe he drowned.

"It's the worst feeling, not knowing," Clark said.

Blake-Lopez was planning on starting his first day at work as a sports director at High Tech Middle School. He attended Mira Mesa High School and played football on the team, and also swam competitively around the world.

Clark described Blake-Lopez as very humorous and family-oriented.

"He would bend over backwards for his family. Sometimes he calls me in the middle of the day and sings me a song, just to make me smile."

Anyone who may have additional information regarding this incident may contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Colorado River Station at (760) 326-9200.